Name: Mallery Roberts Morgan
State: CA
Country: USA
Comment:
Dear Vicente,
What in your opinion is the all time best fabric for upholstery for sofas for families with kids and pets? I’m asking a few designer friends and trying to get a consensus.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Many thanks.
M. Morgan
Vicente Responds:
There’s some great industrial fibers being produced right now that have the look of luxury but the functionality of iron. I have a client that has large quantities of dogs that seem to always be lifting their legs on the wrong place. So we found fabrics that are dog-urine resistant yet still has a great look – good enough to have appeared in a magazine! Same goes for when you’re designing for high-traffic areas like restaurants and hotel lobbies. You just have to research what’s out there or have a designer do that for you. One of the finishes we’ve found is coated with Crypton (yes, you may think ‘Superman’) which really prevents damage. Check out www.cryptonfabric.com
Teflon coated is also a decent option, don’t you think?
The indoor/outdoor fabrics are a great option. I know that the Sunbrella fabrics have the beneficial properties inherent in the fiber, while the Crypton is an applied finish.
Crypton is the only fabric FDA certifired to be bacteriologically cleanable and will protect your cushion insert because it is a non-penetrable finish. It also adds durability to the fibers and resists pilling. So for any high traffic or bacteria compromised situation it is the finish of choice.
the Perrenials line of indoor/outdoor fabrics has some amaaaazing options that are great for kids and pets. since they are made of solution dyed nylon you can basically sit them in a bath of bleach with no ill effects. if you are looking for someting luxurious and soft there are some velvet offerings which have a nice hand and are indestructable-though pet fur will still probably adhere.